Inside the strange and secretive business of team-mandated NHL fines
By Joshua Kloke | Mar 27, 2023 | The Athletic
Ryan Hartman walked into the Minnesota Wild practice facility with a sense of resolve. The nine-year NHL forward had been a healthy scratch the previous evening against the Philadelphia Flyers.
But righting a wrong was only one of the items on his to-do list.
“Today,” Hartman said, nodding while looking around the Wild dressing room, “is tax day.”
As he does once a month, Hartman will work his way around the Wild dressing room and collect money from his teammates.
The previous night, Hartman pored over a spreadsheet with updated tallies of who owes what. He sent out a flurry of text messages to teammates: “This is what you owe. I’m coming for you tomorrow.”
Having a baby with Quinn wasn't on your plans but a trip to his house change a lot of things.
Note: Requested. I made the Luke plotline a bit more dramatic...
Warnings: allusions of abortion.
You were literally shaking. Quinn had your hand on his, he was sitting next to you and talking to his parents. They already know, he had called to tell them, but now he was getting into details
"You are not a couple then" Ellen asked.
"We are not. We are living together now and trying to decide how it will be when the baby is born, but we are not a couple"
You swallowed and looked at the family. Jack was standing against a wall, Jim and Ellen sitting in front of Quinn and you, Luke on a chair on his phone.
Jack had welcomed you with a big smile and a warm hug. He was excited to meet you. Jim and Ellen had been polite and nice too. They were still a bit shocked with the news and felt as if they were walking on thin ice around you. And Luke... He had barely said hi, which had hurt a bit. Both to you and Quinn.
"Okay... And... You know each other for a while, right?"
"Yes. More than a year and a half" Quinn said.
"So... You were friends and..."
"How did it happen?" Jim asked.
You squeezed Quinn's hand and moved a bit closer to him looking for comfort.
"You have three kids dad..."Jack said.
"Jack" Ellen warned.
"Sorry"
Quinn took a deep breath.
"Dad, I'm not going to tell you. YN is not comfortable with it"
"I just..."
"It wasn't a one time thing, it wasn't us being irresponsible. We had something established and it took us here. It was an accident but it happened and we both talked about it. A lot. We are sure this is what we want and we are going to do it" Quinn stated.
You were looking at him. He had become your everything since you found out.
"W-we both want this baby. I want it. I want to be there for both of them so... We are going to have it."
Silence fell and you moved your hand to play with a bracelet on Quinn's wrist.
"Okay... We truly are happy for you guys, a baby is... Wow. But it was a big surprise. Sorry if we didn't react as planned"
You looked at Ellen and smiled.
"It was fine. I understand. You don't know me and I'm having your grandchild. It's a lot." You said. Quinn admired how you always had the right thing to say.
"Ow, the grandchild. You are getting so old guys" Jack spat laughing.
"You will be an uncle" Ellen told him.
The two siblings shared a quick look and Jack gasped.
"Uncle Jack" He covered his mouth. "Oh wow"
A shy smile formed on Quinn's lips. He couldn't believe the happiness his Jack's face was showing. He wanted nothing more than his brothers accepting you and your baby. They were his world and now so were you.
"Guys" You called for their attention. "I brought some stuff." You got up and picked something from your bag. Quinn was smiling at you and chuckled when Jack took the seat next to him.
When you sat back and opened the folder, Ellen jumped and hurried next to you. There was an ultrasound, the latest one. The baby could be seen perfectly, the shape of the little nose was there and also the shadow of the hands.
"Oh" She covered her mouth with her hand. "Is that..."
You looked at her and nodded.
"She is our baby" You said with a big smile.
"She?"
"A little girl" Quinn whispered. He couldn't believe he was going to be a dad, a girl dad. He would have his own little daughter with you.
Surprisingly, Ellen hugged your shoulders and kissed your head. "I'm so happy" She squeaked. "A little girl. I always wanted a little girl and I only got a house full of boys"
You all laughed. "Show them, Quinny" You told him.
He picked his phone and played the video. It was the baby moving in your belly with the heartbeat sounding on the background.
Quinn and you knew the video by heart. You had played it so many times already. Still, it made you feel many many things.
"But hey, do you have a belly?" Jack asked.
"That's rude" Luke muttered.
"It's fine. I do. It's growing so fast"
You got up and took the hoodie off. It's only purpose was to hide it, but know that you knew they were okay with it, you had no problem.
"Oh" Ellen took your hand. "You look so beautiful. And... It's so big already"
"You can touch. She moves a lot"
Ellen laid her hand on your belly and her eyes grew a lot. "Oh... Hi sweetheart. It's grandma."
"Hey, can I?" Jack asked.
You nodded and he also laid his hand on the bump. Quinn was observing with the biggest smile. He was so in love with you.
Luke was watching from his spot. He didn't know how to feel. And minutes later, when Quinn got up from the sofa, he swallowed hard.
"Look at this" Quinn was happy, he loved that baby a lot already. He didn't know it was possible.
Luke picked the black and white photo and looked at it. His brother Quinn was having a kid and he was barely a kid. When had this happened?
"Okay"
Quinn frowned.
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay. What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know. Congratulations?"
"Congratulations, Quinn. I'm happy for you" Luke said in a dry tone.
Quinn was a bit taken aback.
"Are you not happy?"
"I just told you I am"
"You don't sound so excited"
"Well, it's just a baby. I can barely see it in this photo"
"See her. You are having a niece"
The two siblings were getting frustrated. Only you noticed. Somehow, you always found yourself with an eye on Quinn. You had been friends, then exclusive fuck buddies. But it was now when you could barely stop thinking of him. And when he was around, you only wanted to be by his side. He made you smile and laugh like no one. And now you were worried. But you didn't move.
"Luke, this is important for me"
"I know. Good for you"
"Luke..."
"I'll be upstairs. I need to... make a call or something" And the youngest disappeared under everyone's eyes.
Quinn sighed defeated. He was hurt. He wanted his youngest sibling to be happy.
.
.
.
After that night, things weren't better. The next they, Luke barely spoke to you or Quinn, but you both could forget about it with Jack.
"I can be a really good Godfather, you know?"
"Sure, Jack. We will pass you a test and see if you are qualified for the job" You said with a smile.
"Idiot" Quinn said laughing at his brother. "I'll never trust you my baby, not until she can take care of you"
"You both are really mean"
Quinn chuckled and got up, pressing a kiss on your head.
"Cute" Jack said moving his eyebrows at you. It made you look away.
Quinn tried to ignore it as he walked away.
"Really, you guys are cute"
"Stop"
"He always talked about you"
You looked at Jack.
"I don't see why"
"Well, because he adores you. It's not new. Definitely not because of the baby"
You touched your belly.
"I think she helped. But at first, you were Elias' friend, then YN, then..."
"Jack" You warned embarrassed.
"Then he wrote us, Luke and I, a text saying he was... seeing you"
"I-I know that"
"Yeah, but he also told us he has never been so comfortable around someone"
You bit your lip and looked at your hand. You played with the ring Quinn had gotten you for Mother's day. I know it's still soon, but I saw it and thought of you and... I had to get it. Only you two and a couple of friends knew. Not even his family. Your bump wasn't even that big. You still fit in our clothes by then.
"He adores you" Jack said and smiled.
"He was one of my best friends before this happened"
"And now?"
You sighed.
"It's difficult to define now because everything is the same but still different."
"He said the same"
"Did he?"
Jack nodded.
"He is still one of my best friends but now we have this bond for life and..."
"You are in love" Jack chucked and took a sip from his lemonade.
"We are n-, he is not..."
"Oh, so you are"
"You are horrible Jack"
"You guys are in love"
You rolled your eyes. "I don't like you"
He smiled so big.
"You do... I'm the cooled brother in law"
"You are not my..."
"Oh, am I not?"
Quinn hit the back of Jack's head. "Don't bother my girls"
It was the first thing Quinn said something like that. It came so naturally, he didn't even notice. He had you at home around his family, sitting on your swimsuit and enjoying the warm sun next to the lake, joking with his brother, carrying his child... You were his girl. He truly didn't notice he had said that. But you and Jack did. He wiggled his brows at you and you wanted to run and hide in a bush or something.
His girls, baby. We are his girls.
.
.
.
"The heat is exhausting when you are carrying a baby, Quintin" You said laying on the bed. "Plus, the belly is already making it hard to sit like this" You said caressing the sides. "I think she is sleeping, she gave me a hard day"
You haven't noticed how quiet he was. Laying on the inflatable mattress, he was looking at the ceiling. You had both agreed to sleep like this. Even back in Vancouver, you slept in separate beds to not make things weird.
"Quinn?"
"Mhm" He turned his face to you. He looked tired. Last night, he barely slept.
"Are you okay?" You softly asked while sitting up.
"Yeah, why?"
You knew him so well.
"Quinn..." You pouted. "Please"
"Don't worry, YN." He didn't want you to be thinking about his problems with his brother. You were pregnant and needed to be relaxed.
"Quinn. I'm not letting you sleep until you tell me"
He smiled a bit. He loved you so much.
"Are you not?"
"It's a promise" You smiled too and patted your (his) bed. "Come here, bud"
"Don't call the father of your daughter bud, YN" He said walking in your direction. Quinn sat on the bed, thinking that all you want was to sleep, but you laid back against the pillow and pulled his shirt. "YN, what..."
"Shh..." You just wanted to feel him close.
Quinn let you guide him until his head was on your chest. Quinn let his body loose around you, his leg found a place between yours and his arm protectively held you. Your hand on his hair pulled him close to your neck and he closed his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"I wish I knew" He muttered. The whole situation was so confusing fro him. "I don't know what's going on with Luke"
You kissed his forehead. The baby moved and Quin caressed the spot where he felt her.
"It's a lot, Quinn"
"It's also a lot for Jack and he is excited about it"
"They are different."
You barely knew them personally, but Quinn talked so much about them.
"It hurts. He has only been a dick since we arrived."
You hugged Quinn tight.
"Maybe he needs time"
"I'm trying" Quinn nuzzled his face on your neck and your heart started beating hard. "Can I sleep here?"
"You are sleeping here, bud"
He smiled and softly kissed your neck.
You loved Quinn, Jack was right. How could you not? He was perfect.
.
.
.
It took you a while to fall asleep, but you were happy because Quinn was out only a couple of minutes after saying good night.
Jack and I are going to the grocery shop. We'll bring breakfast.
You read the note and smiled a bit. In the mornings, he would let notes for you so the notifications from messages wouldn't wake you up.
You threw one of Quinn's bigger t-shirts over and some comfy shorts before fixing your hair and walking downstairs.
The morning was still fresh and it made you happy, but your smile suddenly disappeared when you found that Luke was the only one around. He was alone outside, sitting in the morning sun watching something on his phone.
You wanted him and Quinn to be fine, to be happy and share this experience. The tension between them was unbearable when they were in the same room and it had everyone worried. Ellen and Jack had already tried to talk to him, but he had just shrugged and said I'm fine. Maybe...
You walked to the table and picked up the folder with the ultrasounds and other things about the baby that you had brought with you and walked outside.
"Good morning" You softly said.
Luke looked up scared. You terrified him but he wouldn't admit it.
"Hey" He cleared his throat. "Um... Sit?"
You nodded with a smile and sat. You caught his eyes checking your belly.
"We haven't talked much" You noted.
He looked down at his hands. He looked embarrassed.
"Yeah..."
"Quinn talks a lot about you. He told me about that game you have soon"
"Mhm. It's pretty important"
"Yeah, he told me. He is going right?"
He nodded. "I want them all in there." He looked up at you as his words left his mouth. Maybe it had been rude, the others already talked about you as a part of the family. But you were smiling.
"That's amazing. I love how close you are. I'm happy she is going to grow in a family like this" You said caressing your belly.
Luke swallowed. He already knew why you were here. He had just realized.
"But..." You turned more serious. "I see that something is off, Luke. And I feel as if it's my fault. I know that it kind of is because it involves my daughter and I, right?"
Luke felt the worst.
"YN-no"
You moved a bit closer and he tensed.
"Luke, listen... It's okay if you don't think of me as a part of the family, I know the situation is kind of weird. But please... My daughter and Quinn... They are your family" You took a deep breath. "I understand if you need time to process everything. You don't know me, it's fine. We can go slow, there is plenty of time for that. But talk to him. Quinn needs you all. Being a parent like this is really scary. I'm scared all the time. And so is him. He needs support. And he needs you. You are his little brother. He wants you to be a part of this too becuas he loves you so much. You are his best friends, he needs you both"
Luke sighed and moved in the chair. He had a knot on his throat.
"When we started discussing stuff about the baby... Do you wanna know what he told me first?"
"She is playing hockey" It was impossible to not smile a bit. He could imagine Quinn saying it.
You laughed and nodded. "Yes, she is playing hockey. He was like, I'm sure my mum still has our sticks and the skates. Well, maybe not the smaller ones because I remember Luke broke a pair"
"I was the third kid wearing those skates" He defended himself.
"I know, I know. No worries about that." You said patting his knee. "The thing is that he started talking about the first time you skated with him and... He wants that with her. He played with you guys since you started walking, he wants her to do that too. At first it was your parents and him, then Jack and then you. And now..." You stopped and breathed." I cried so much when we talked about this" You told him and he chuckled.
It was a surprise for you both, but Luke grabbed your hand and whispered "It's fine, take your time"
You both stayed in silence for a while.
"Luke"
"Mhm"
"Can you do that for me? Talk to him?"
"I can"
"Thank you"
Again, silence fell. Luke couldn't believe what he was thinking, what he was about to do. Because as you said, he didn't know you.
"Everything is changing so fast" He said.
You looked at him and squeezed his hand so he would continue.
"We were kids. Then Quinn left, then Jack and... I'm going to play in the NHL now and... Quinn will be a father and... It's scary"
"Oh Luke" You caressed his arm with your free hand. "Growing is a shit. And stuff change so fast. But... You will always have them, you know that, right?"
"I'm going to New Jersey and he will have a baby to take care of back in Vancouver. Things won't be the same."
You took a deep breath. You understood so perfectly what he was feeling.
"I will promise you something, okay?" Luke nodded. "Once the baby is born and we are cool about travelling, I will take Quinn to see you guys as much as possible. Okay? You are not loosing Quinn to us. He... We want you close to our kid."
"You too?"
"You are special, guys. My girl is going to grow close to you. I'm making sure of it. You are the Hughes, honey"
You both chuckled. "Okay." He said with a smile.
"Everything will be okay"
"It will" He said.
You caressed his cheek and he turned a soft shade of pink. "Do you want to meet your niece?"
"That would be nice"
You lifted your shirt and showed him the belly. "Her feet are right there and she moves so much. So if you put you hand right here you can feel her"
He cautiously laid his hand on your belly.
"Honey, said hi to Uncle Luke" You said.
Soon, the baby moved and he looked at the bump with big eyes. "Oh"
You laughed at his face.
"That's so weird, YN" He said. "It feels... Strange"
Your laugh was making her move more.
"Isn't it... Oof... How does it feel?" He asked without moving his hand.
"So fucking strange, Lukey" You said.
"And... Does she weight?"
"Yeah. It's starting to get difficult to do some things."
The baby was still moving and Luke couldn't concentrate because he had never felt a baby bump.
"My goodness... She never stops, does she?"
"Nop. And she is getting stronger"
"You have a person you don't know growing in you. Aren't you freaked out?"
You laughed hard.
"Oh Luke! I know her. She is my baby"
"Man..." Quinn felt Jack's hand on his shoulder. They had arrived five minutes ago, just on time to watch Luke laying his hand on your bump. You were laughing together now, Luke looked freaked out and you looked like you were having the time of his life. Quinn wanted to cry. Literally.
"She is amazing" Jack whispered. He was also emotional. Everything was emotional about the situation. You, the baby, their younger bother.
"I love her, Jack. I love her so much."
"I know, Quinny."
"I need to do something"
"She loves you too. She told me"
Quinn looked at Jack.
"She did, man. Plus... It's obvious. Mum told me too"
"I don't know what to do"
"Whatever feels right, I suppose"
"Is that..." Jim asked.
They had also arrived right after the guys.
"Oh" Ellen covered her mouth. "Quinn..."
"I know mum"
"Keep her"
"She is already pregnant mum"
"Jack" The three of them groaned.
"Sorry."
"I'm going out"
Luke and you looked up when you heard the door opening. With his hands on his pockets, Quinn was looking at you with glassy eyes.
"Hi..." He softly said.
"Hi, Quinny" You said with your cute smile and then looked at Luke.
Luke swallowed hard, his eyes were on Quinn. You cupped his face with one hand and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. All the other Hughes thought the same. She has superpowers.
"Everything will be alright" You whispered and he nodded. "Go"
The youngest got up and Quinn walked closer.
"Hey"
"S-she is nice. I mean. They are" He chuckled.
"Come here, moosey."
They hugged and you smiled from your place, both hands in your belly now. You were proud of yourself. The last thing you wanted was the family having problems because of you.
"I'm sorry" Luke whispered.
"It's fine. I love you"
"I love you too"
You had to dry a tear.
When they pulled apart, Quinn walked to you and towed over your body, hugging you from your back. With his arms wrapped around you, he kissed you cheek so many times.
"You are incredible" I love you.
Breakfast was different that day. Everyone was laughing and joking, Ellen was telling you a thousand stories about the guys growing up and you felt a part of the family already.
The guys decided to go out on the boat in the afternoon, but for security, you stayed back with Ellen. Halfway through the afternoon, she called your name.
"I found this" She squeaked in happiness. You got up from the sofa. "It's hockey gear"
You smiled and helped her opening the car. "Oh my god, This I so cute..."
"That's one of the first we got."
The box was full of mini hockey jerseys a couple of sticks and a pair of skates.
"You won't need to buy anything for at least 10 or 12 years"
You both laughed.
"It can stay here if you want, i can't imagine how messy things are in Vancouver"
"That would be nice. We-we still don't know where we are going to live or... How... So..."
Ellen looked at you and sighed.
"Quinn is a good guy. You already know that but... He won't let you down, YN"
You nodded and smiled.
"I know. That's why I'm doing this." You said. "If it wasn't with him... I know that he is going to be here for us"
Ellen grabbed your hand. "You have all of us"
"Thank you, Ellen. You are so nice. I know you don't know me and everything but still you opened your house for me and..."
"Hey, you are a part of the family now. I don't care if my son and you are a couple or not. You are my little girl's mum"
You hugged her. "She is happy" You said looking down at the bump.
When the guys arrived, they had this big fuss around their old gears, the three of them talking like coffeinated kids around the table. Then the dinner arrived and as always you stayed by Quinn's side. At some point you received a call from someone wanting to check on you and the baby, so the Hughes watched you walk away to the desk.
"I have told her she can leave everything here, until you guys settle. Those jerseys and the skates won't suit the baby for a few years"
Quinn looked at his mum.
"Yeah, that's nice. We've been looking for a place"
"Hey, you guys also need to tell us what a baby needs. Luke and I want to buy a gift to her" Jack said smiling.
"Not a devils jersey" Quinn jokingly said.
"You know that the kid will have one" Jack pointed at him. "Who will she cheer when her uncles are playing? The knights?! No Q. That little girl is having her own Hughes jersey"
Quinn shook his head. "Only because it's you guys"
"Quinn"
He looked up to see Luke standing by the doorframe. The folder with the ultrasounds and everything had been sitting in the living room since you arrived and the youngest liked to look at it when no one was watching. He always got this funny feeling on his chest. He had gathered only know the confidence to ask.
Quinn frowned a bit when he saw the ultrasound on Luke's hand.
"What are you doing with that?"
Luke blushed deeply and chocked a bit on his words.
"Can I keep one?"
The four Hughes around the table looked at him with smiles. Since your talk with him, Luke was a softie.
"Of course you can, Moosey" Quinn said smiling.
But there was something bothering him. His family loved you and the baby. They were obsessed with you both, they keep saying that about you being a part of the family, they were excited and all. It was incredible, yes. But it was overwhelming because he kept dreaming. At some points, he forgot what you were. Co-parents. It was overwhelming because he needed more. Much more. He wanted you to be the sister and daughter in love. The daughter his mom didn't have. He wanted to be back at home with his girlfriend and daughter. Not with hid daughter and her mum.
"I-I will go and check YN. She sat on the edge and I'm sure she won't be able to get up" He said trying to hide the suffocating feelings on his mind.
"Just imagine growing a baby inside of you" Jack started the conversation, Luke following close and starting a very deep discussion about how weird it must be.
Quinn walked down the deck and took deep breath.
"Quinny" You had finished the call and were making grabby hands at him.
He chuckled and shook his head.
"Non of that. Be responsible of your actions"
You gasped dramatically.
"You wouldn't do that"
He ruffled your hair and sat next to you. You smiled and hugged his arm.
"Is everything okay back home?“
"All good. They were just checking on the baby."
You looked really pretty that night. The sun had bathed your skin and made it look beautiful. Your days by the lake and the pregnancy were working wonders on you.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" You said with a giddy smile.
"It's... Luke wants to keep an ultrasound"
You smiled so big.
"You said yes, right? I didn't gave him a talk for you to say no"
Quinn chuckled and grabbed your hand. "I said yes"
There was something different on his eyes, something soft.
"Thank you for the talk you gave him, by the way. I don't know what you said but... Thank you"
"It's a secret between Lukey, Ellie and I"
"Ellie?" His eyes opened like plates.
"Your mum is an angel, she definitely will be named after her"
The name was on the list. You remember Quinn's shy smile and pink cheeks when he said it's my mum's name.
Quinn took a deep breath. Then another. And then another.
"I'm in love with you, YN." He started. "I-I just love you so fucking much it hurts and I can't keep doing this. I can't keep having you around, being so nice and loving with my family knowing that you are not mine. I want more. It's not enough to be daughter's father."
You only reaction was to pull him to your lips. The kiss was deep and slow, showing all the emotions you had been swallowing this months. It was so fucking difficult to be around him when you knew how his mouth tasted and how his hands felt and do nothing more than a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It was so fucking difficult to have him around the whole time, loving you and your growing baby and not being able to give what you had a name.
"I have been yours for a long time, Quinn" You whispered on his lips. "A-and I love you so fucking much too."
He kissed you again, wrapping his arm around your neck and pulling you closer.
"You are great" He whispered. "And I'm so happy to be living this with you. And one day I will marry you."
You giggled on his lips and pecked them softly. You looked into his eyes and brushed his hair out of his face.
"You better do"
He laughed and gave you another kiss. He had missed them so much. The decision of stopping your physical relationship after finding out about Ellie had probably been the worst.
"Are you my girl?"
You nodded. "That's what you said"
He rolled his eyes and stole one last kiss from your lips before hugging you to his side and kissing your temple. "I love you so much"
"I love you too, Quinny. You are the best I could ask for"
Quinn took his hand to your bump. "Is she asleep?"
"Nop"
"Hey, cutie. Dad here. I can't wait for you to arrive..." He took a deep breath. "Actually, everyone is waiting, you have a lot of expectations. And... Your mum is amazing so she made everyone love you..."
.
.
.
"Ellie?"
"Like grandma Ellen" You said with a big smile. The Hughes were sitting around you. All but Luke who was running late.
Ellen was hugging Ellie, who was born strong and healthy only 20 hours ago after a long day. Jack was peaking over his mum's shoulder with the biggest heart eyes possible and Jim was by the window with Quinn.
Quinn had been shaking since your water broke. He simply couldn't make it stop. He was a dad, you were a mum and tomorrow he would take you and your daughter to the house you had found together. Your house, where you lived as a happy couple and where your daughter would live her first moments. He had teared up a bit when his mum had hugged him, then when Jack had shaken him on his arm and lastly when his dad had whispered how proud he was.
"She has the cutest nose" Jack said. He was vibrating in excitement.
"Who does she remind you to?" You asked with a big smile because it was one of the first things Quinn and you had talked about.
"Um-"
"oof, I'm sorry. Everyone decided to take the car out today" Luke broke into the room and scared you all. "Sorry for being late. Hi YN, congratulations. This is for you" He passed you a bouquet of flowers and kissed your cheek. "And... Quinny, congratulations to you too." Luke hugged Quinn and then took a deep breath. "What a day"
You were all looking at him, mouths agape and big eyes watching him talking more than he had in his whole life. The reason? He was nervous as hell.
"Thank you, Luke" You said with a smile and a low laugh.
"Luke?" Ellen asked. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, mum. Perfect. Why?" He wasn't. He was sweating. "All good"
"Luke, buddy. Breathe" Quinn was trying to not laugh.
"I am breathing why do you..." He stopped when his eyes fell on the bundle Ellen had in her arms. "A baby"
You all started laughing, making him blush deeply.
"Yeah Lukey, that's why we are all here. We got a baby last night" You said drying your tears.
"You have to be kidding" Jack couldn't even breathe. He had to sit on the bed next to you because of how much he was laughing.
"You are all cruel"
Quinn pushed Luke softly. "Go and meet Ellie"
"Ellie? Like mum?"
Quinn nodded and walked Luke to the baby.
"She is small" He whispered.
"Do you want to pick her?"
"I already did" Jack said. "Best feeling ever. She is small and warm and cuddly."
Luke looked around nervously. "What if I drop her?"
"Sit with YN" Quinn told him.
The not-youngest-Hughes-anymore sat next to you and you kissed his cheek. Then Quinn passed Ellie to him and told him how he had to do it. Luke's cheeks warmed and a shy smile appeared on his face. Then Quinn moved the blanket and a loud gasp left the boy's lips. "She looks like me"
And again, you all laughed because baby Ellie was a carbon copy of uncle Luke.
